How can you make your airport more inclusive for passengers with autism or sensory processing disorders?

Pre-travel information is important. Create a visual map of what the pathway will be like for the person travelling. This can be available via different channels including email. It can also be really helpful to reduce anxiety when you know what’s going to happen next or how to trouble shoot if something changes. Having a clear point of contact can also be helpful. As can the use of clear language, and signposting to quieter spaces on the website, social media spaces and in the airport too.

The airport should have designated sensory-friendly spaces for passengers with Autism or Sensory Processing Disorders. The airport should also provide priority access and assistance to passengers with Autism or SPD who request it

Some suggestions of content include - A map showing low sensory areas - Frequent reminders to advertise support for Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme and other schemes set up to assist people with autism and details of where the patrons can register. - Provide as much notice as possible of change on every channel possible and make staff available to respond to communication from Autistic people on the channels that suit them.

Understand and value your user. For instance, even the question "with autism" is not inclusive for people that prefer "autistic". So find ways to acknowledge this. All designs and decisions must be made in partnership with autistic people. In addition, learn about all countries legislation around assistance dogs and understand that some autistic people use assistance dogs then make your staff aware of this and your airports accessible to users of assistance dogs.

Don't make them wait is the best you can do, and forget about TSA, pat downs etc. It's not happening, just let them through with out a fuss

Connex sofas and benches offer the flexibility to be configured in unique arrangements, creating an environment where passengers can experience a heightened sense of freedom.

The approach highlights the benefit of providing visual guides to help passengers with autism or SPD anticipate airport procedures, reducing stress by familiarizing them with the check-in to arrival process. Accessible online, these resources allow for advanced preparation, promoting a more inclusive airport experience.

Simply say 'I am with you', things goes smoothly. Offer ancillary services:- Meet and Assist, Priority Check-in, Ready with Boarding Pass, Friendly approach, Guide practical situations.

Walk the walk and talk the talk. Focus on neuroinclusion as an Employer. USA Today reports that about 1.2 million people work at 485 commercial airports in the United States. Atlanta’s Hartsfield airport employs over 63,000. Establish your own neuroinclusive hiring program. Seek out neurodivergent talent —ensure your hiring, on-boarding and employment practices are neuroinclusive.

Nowadays priority access are more convenient for passenger's, no need to stand on long queue. Passenger's can register on digiyatra and scan your face for access in the airport within 2-3 minutes.

Esto es fundamental. Debemos normalizar dar prioridad a quien lo necesite sin largas e innecesarias esperas. Contribuimos a su inclusion si lo normalizamos.

In addition to Digi Yatra, Express check-in and disabled passengers shall be assisted with special entry to make then Convenient.

These questions again are leaving out the non-verbal. Be proactive, not reactive, when they register be sure to include non verbal pathway.

Consider offering pre-boarding services or priority security checks to minimize stress during the travel process. Implement clear signage and visual aids to guide passengers smoothly through the airport, reducing anxiety associated with uncertainty.

This would be something needed to be coordinated not just at an airport level, but it would be nice to see airports, TSA, Homeland coordinate on ways where those with disabilities/autism/etc. could access Clear and other services free of charge. Make their ability to navigate security as easy and unintrusive as possible while meeting all the requirements. Access is something many airports have worked on over the years. But many are still working on. But sensitivities and mobility can always be a challenge. It may be more preparing people for the unique layout of each airport. And for said airports always looking to improve.

Some ways to get started, It would be helpful if service seekers are helped with wheelchair upon arrival at the airport. Some staff may be assigned at the terminal entry gate to assist the passengers with such disabilities.

A better way is to offer priority pass and also assistance to passengers with autism or SPD,, this process means that the can be given express passes to skip the ques and also the can be assigned a trained staff for assistance while the pass through all the airport processes

Uma abordagem calma, o colaborador não precisa falar alto, movimentar muito as mãos agitar o seu cliente, mantendo essas posturas passa segurança é credibilidade a família, muitas vezes a forma de treinamento de algumas empresas é o modo de atendimento ocasiona transtornos desnecessários ao pcd, sabemos que tem que ser dinâmico o atendimento porém ter conhecimento sobre o assunto faz toda diferença

Training of staff & crew is imperative. Autism is different for everybody & there is no one cutout solution to a variety of sensory issues that may occur during a trip to the Airport. Compassion & patience are necessary from everyone, including fellow passengers, for a successful & inclusive flight for those with Autism.

Behavior-Based Training: Training is a powerful way to cultivate a safety-focused mindset among employees. By emphasizing safe behaviors and encouraging a proactive approach to safety and culture, the company is not only investing in the well-being of its workforce but also creating a culture that values and prioritizes safety at every level.

Train airport staff to recognize and respond to the unique needs of individuals with autism, fostering a supportive and understanding atmosphere.

Primero saber hablar correctamente en mucho más idiomas que lo que está pasando ahora mismo , más empatía . Un sueldo más adecuado también .

Trying your staff on how to interact with people of SPD or Autism or anyone with a difference, make it easier on both side. Help the customer feel seen & heard. Makes staff job easier for the right communication with customers

Disagree with the other poster, training isn't going to do anything. You need POLICY in place and customer service like it's the 1950s. What would you train them on..ABA/IBI, that is pointless. Just tell them to have empathy but to verify its true. The bigger challenge is to instruct the staff to spot fakers, as they ruin it for the real ASD people.

Um exemplo é ter empatia e se colocar no lugar desses familiares, que já sofrem com a discriminação por falta de conhecimento da sociedade por si só, está aí a forma de fazer o diferencial um bom treinamento gera índices de satisfação e um treinamento focado somente aos interesses da empresa gera muitas reclamações e insatisfação

Training landside operations teams at the terminal to recognize and respond to the needs of special customers is essential. It is also possible to train monitoring teams to direct possible assistance to customers in need.

Ter programas nas empresas de voluntariado em instituições para pessoas com deficiência faz com que percebemos com mais clareza as necessidades e particularidades das diversas deficiências que existem. Valorizar as pessoas que possuam essas atividades no currículo ao contratar ou aqueles que já se tem dentro da equipe e colocar em posição estratégica para os atendimentos e não tratar simplesmente como atendimento para pessoa especial e sim garantir uma experiência tão boa quanto a pessoa sem deficiência.

Based off latest travel experience with autistic kids a few suggestions that my family brainstormed were: - ear plugs due to the air circulation noise -ability to get up when panic attacks or anxiety rises (instead of enforcing the seat belts especially one landed or waiting take off). - screens that are less stimulating (if basic color screens, videos of social and emotional regulation, etc). - definitely in airport quiet spaces we enjoyed hang out in the nursing pods when had a baby bc quiet and calm space… also less runaway spots.

This scope, as usually with LinkedIn, is way to broad to ask. I'm the non-verbal camp and most of these questions are pop science in nature. Not all autistics have sensory issues, that is a meme as building a room/area that is basically the same as a nightclub without the music isn't hard. Better to have a solid onboarding process, that the parents/caregivers only have to fill out once but can update as needed. Link it to the Access2 card, or equivalent, and bingo Bango you now have the data you need to accommodate their disabilities. Stop looking for easy solutions and accept you'll need to be flexible and adaptive to each individual. Autism is not a collective..

Incorporating calming spaces throughout the airport, adorned with soft lighting, soothing colors, and comfortable seating to offer a refuge from sensory overload. Introduce sensory rooms equipped with tools like noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, and tactile elements to provide a controlled environment for those who may need it.

This is something I think could be really improved across the board. As much as I try to see things from across both sides, we seem to provide more accommodations at airports for animals than we do those with disabilities/autism. Sensory friendly rooms is one huge thing I think could help. And not just one a half a mile away from the families gate. Better access from parking to the terminals. Obviously, in many cases the families may have to bring items that help. But the airports certainly can help. Both with infrastructure and items on demand.

The Ways to Engage Stakeholders During Your Airport Project: i. Initiate a walkthrough with all stakeholders before starting any project ii. Involve the concerned stakeholders. iii. Produce all the related documents. iv. Collect and implement concerned stakeholder's comments.

First, provide clear and visual wayfinding signage with simple symbols for navigation. Establish quiet zones or designated sensory-friendly spaces where travelers can retreat for a sensory break. Train airport staff in recognizing and assisting individuals with neurodivergent needs, fostering a supportive and understanding atmosphere. Implement pre-boarding programs or virtual tours to familiarize passengers with the airport environment before their journey. Consider adjusting lighting and minimizing loud announcements to reduce sensory overload. Collaborate with airlines to offer pre-boarding notifications and ensure in-flight accommodations.

This is a huge one. I'd love to see in what I've done in the past and what I'm doing now to have a national and local partnership with airports. Have an overreaching initiative that can spread the word and have a consistent message. But then connect to local service providers who can help make things happen. That can be employment initiatives, provide experiences for people locally at the airport, and more.

Ask us....eg Autistic people, we're more than happy to help, educate, work with and alongside. Just think what we could all achieve in 2024🙂 Please rethink your language, I'm a Autistic person, I quite like Neurospicy too! I'm not a person with.... Become Neuroaffirming! Are these articles AI generated? It's just I'm beginning to find them all saying the same stuff.

Train your personnel to never second guess the status of a traveler. If we state we are disabled and need a reasonable accommodation such as pre boarding or expedited screening, honor it. Make sure they know not all disabilities are physical or visible, yet the need for support remains.

I agree neurodivergent air experience days plus those who are also disabled with symptomatic hypermobility brought back the confidence to travel again. Our advocacy started this combination but it would be beneficial to continue it ?

American Airlines did an entire video on the flying process from check-in to baggage claim for people on the autism spectrum.

Collaborate with autism advocacy groups to gain insights and feedback, ensuring continuous improvement in creating an airport environment that caters to diverse needs.

A disappointment for me is that I’ve been we seen the hidden sunflower disability lanyard in Perth airports. I have had some of my worst experiences at airports assisting my child who is sensory dysregulated and airports are a trigger - and continually being met with stares and disapproval. I pretty much always leave airports in tears!